Jaipur:Sharjah-based Air Arabia has started daily low-budget flights to the north Indian city of Jaipur.

The inaugural flight to the Pink City took off from Sharjah yesterday morning and landed three hours later in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur.

Senior officials of the Rajasthan government were present at the airport to welcome the visitors.

Fares start from Dh250 for a one-way trip, exclusive of taxes and surcharges with similar fares for return trips.

"Jaipur is a great tourist destination. Rajasthan is famous for its wildlife sanctuaries, architectural heritage and traditional festivals and the Pink city of Jaipur is a shopper's delight," said Air Arabia's chief executive officer Adel Ali.

"We are proud of the fact that Air Arabia is the first international airline to fly to Jaipur from the Middle East," said the airline's head of sales, A.K. Nizar, who was on the inaugural flight.

Fares are based on availability. Nizar suggests one should book in advance to get a good deal on tickets.

According to Nizar, the new route also provides great potential for increased business and leisure travel between India and the Gulf, especially Jaipur, which is well connected by road, rail and air to all key Indian cities.

Air Arabia was set up in February 2003 as a commercial airline of the UAE by an Amiri decree issued by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The airline currently operates to Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Flights to Turkey will start later this month.